Chula Vista, California, experienced a harrowing incident yesterday morning when a fire broke out at a local 7-Eleven, leaving two employees gravely injured. According to the City of Chula Vista's official website, the blaze was reported just after 8 a.m. at the store located at 899 Broadway. By the time police officers and firefighters arrived at the scene, one victim had emerged from the store with significant burns, while another was still inside. Her cries were audible amidst the smoke that engulfed the area.
Chula Vista Police and Firefighters acted swiftly, the officers braving the smoke to rescue the second woman, who had sustained serious burn injuries and was unable to exit the building without assistance. Subsequently, extinguishing the fire was performed by firefighters arriving after the employees had been rescued. Although initial reports did not specify their conditions, it was later confirmed that one was in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, and the other was also seriously hurt, though the injuries were non-life-threatening, per FOX 5.
The origin of the fire is under investigation by both Chula Vista Police detectives and arson investigators from the fire department, who have determined that the act was intentional, carried out by a man using a flammable liquid, believed to be gasoline, before fleeing the scene in a dark BMW sedan. The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Jose Carlos Villanueva from Chula Vista, was arrested hours later in Redlands, California, following an alert from an Automated License Plate Reader system, according to 10News.
Despite the absence of customers in the convenience store during the blaze, the intersection of Broadway and L Street is noted for its heavy traffic, which suggests the likelihood that there were witnesses at the time of the crime. With Villanueva now in custody, his link to the store and the victims is being scrutinized. Authorities believe he is known to at least one of the victims, indicating that this was not a random act of violence. Concerned members of the public with any additional information are urged to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers by phone at (888) 580-8477 or to submit tips via their online platform or P3tips mobile app.
